News briefs for August 28, 2001

Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2001 | 10:47 a.m.

Woman killed while fleeing police

A 19-year-old woman died Monday after she crashed the stolen car she was driving while fleeing from Metro Police, authorities said.

Renee Rossi of Las Vegas died in University Medical Center after rolling the car on Craig Road near Decatur Boulevard about 1:30 a.m. Monday, police said.

Police said Rossi was seen by a patrol officer driving erratically and when the officer attempted to stop Rossi, she fled quickly. The officer had broken off the pursuit, but Rossi continued to run red lights, police said.

Rossi rolled the car, which was reported stolen Sunday to North Las Vegas Police, after swerving to avoid leaving the roadway, police said.

DA's office to weigh self-defense

Metro Police will submit the case of a 22-year-old man's slaying to prosecutors to determine if the admitted shooter, who claimed self defense, will face charges.

Melvin Perkins, 26, and his attorney met with detectives Monday in connection with the shooting death of Ian Holt Saturday about 9 p.m. at a convenience store on Fort Apache Road at Sahara Avenue.

Witnesses told police Holt and the driver of a sport utility vehicle, later identified as Perkins, got into a dispute at the gas pumps. The dispute led to Holt being shot. He died at University Medical Center.

Victim found on NLV street

A man found shot in the head in North Las Vegas died this morning at University Medical Center.

The unidentified Hispanic man in his 20s was found Monday about 1 a.m. in the 2000 block of Ellis Street near Lake Mead Boulevard. He died about 1:25 a.m.

Detectives are trying to determine if the man's death was a homicide or suicide. An autopsy was scheduled to be performed today to determine cause of death, police said.

Anyone with information in this case is asked to call North Las Vegas Police at 633-9111 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

State to get a better deal

CARSON CITY -- State government should see some lower interest rates when it sells $72.7 million in general obligation bonds Wednesday.

Fitch Inc. of New York City on Monday raised Nevada's bond rating from AA to AA+. Fitch, along with Standard & Poor's Corp. and Moody's, is one of the major bond rating agencies. Ratings range from D to AAA. Those who have high bond ratings are judged to be safe risks and receive lower interest rates.

The state is issuing three series of bonds Wednesday. One series is for $55 million with $24.5 million being used to complete the purchase of the Southern Nevada Women's Correctional Facility in North Las Vegas. The rest of the money will go to other construction projects.

Judge denies forced medication

District Judge Lee Gates on Monday denied a motion that would allow doctors at a state mental hospital to forcibly medicate a Las Vegas man charged with killing his sister and grandparents.

Gates said he would like more information as to why doctors believe it is necessary to force Dante Pattison to take an anti-psychotic medication.

Pattison is accused of using a rifle to gun down his sister, Carrie Adric-Pattison, 32, and their grandparents, Yoshio Kato, 82, and Sally Kato, 75, on Feb. 24.